Plow with adjustable plow bottoms



Feb. 21, 1961 w. H. TANKE 2,972,386

PLOW WITH ADJUSTABLE PLOW BOTTOMS Filed Dec. 50, 1958 a m/MM ltlbnmeg r 2,972,386 Ice Patented Feb. 21, 1961 PLOW WITH ADJUSTABLE PLOW BOTTOMS Willard H. Tanke, La Crosse, Wis., assignor to Allis- Chalmers Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee, Wis.

Filed Dec. 30, 1958, Ser. No. 783,967

3 Claims. (Cl. 172-656) This invention relates to agricultural implements and more particularly to means for positioning and clamping ground engaging tools of an implement in a selected position.

In certain types of tractor operated plows the plow bottoms can be spaced different distances. One of the reasons this is done is to provide trash clearance.

This feature of adjustability presents a problem. It is not easy to accurately space the plow bottoms. They are heavy. And, because a releasable connection is used, it is also difficult to securely clamp the plow bottoms in position.

One previous way of obtaining adjustability has been to provide a series of bolt holes in the overlapping frame members of the plow. A bolt is then inserted through selected holes to lock the frame members together. The trouble is that it is difficult to accurately align the bolt holes so the bolt can be inserted through them. This is because of the weight of the plow bottoms as mentioned above. In addition the bolt and nut are quite often lost because they are taken apart and placed aside during the time the frame members are being positioned.

It is an object of this invention to provide an adjusting arrangement that can be easily operated to provide several different spacings between the plow bottoms.

It is another object of this invention to provide an adjusting arrangement that does not have to be taken apart when making an adjustment.

It is another object of this invention to provide an adjusting arrangement that securely clamps the frame member-s together once the plow bottoms have been positioned. e

Other objects and advantages will appearfrom the following description considered in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a plow with some parts omitted for clarity;

Fig. 2 is a view of a clip block used to position the elements of the plow;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of Fig. 1 taken in the direction of arrow III, showing the clip blocks connected to the frame members;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of Fig. 3 taken in the direction of arrows IV-IV showing the clip blocks and abutment member in one position of adjustment; and

Figs. 5 and 6 are views similar to Fig. 4, showing the clip blocks and frame members in a second and third position of adjustment, respectively.

Invention generally Referring to Fig. 4 overlapping plow frame members 2, 3 are provided with registering slots 6, 7 and a pair of clip blocks 8, 9 for slots 6, 7. Each clip block 8, 9 has a projection 11} that engages one wall of its slot.

' by stub beams 20.

2 in the slots (Figs. 4, 5 and 6), the position of overlapping frame members 2', 3' relative to each other can be changed to provide three different spacings. Clip blocks 8, 9 also cooperate with abutment member 12 to clamp overlapping frame members 2', 3 in position.

Invention specifically Referring to Fig. 1 there is disclosed an implement in the form of a three bottom plow 14. The front portion of plow 14 carries a tubular member 16 that is adapted to be connected to the lift arms and a hitch (not shown) of the tractor (not shown).

The plow comprises members 2, 3, 18, stub beams 20 carried by frame members 2, 3, 18 and ground engaging tools in the form of plow bottoms 22, 24, 26 carried First plow bottom 22 is carried by frame member 2. Second plow bottom 24 is carried by frame member 3. And, third plow bottom 26 is carried by frame member 18.

Frame members 2, 3 and 18 each have overlapping portions 2, 3'; and 3, 18'. Since each overlapping con nection between the frame members is the same, only frame members 2 and 3 will be referred to, the description applying equally to the connection between frames 3 and 18.

The spacing between plow bottoms 22 and 24 is ob tained by moving overlapping portion 2 of frame member 2 transversely relative to the adjacent overlapping portion 3' of the adjacent frame member 3. Each overlapping portion (Figs. 4, 5 and 6) of each frame memher is provided with two horizontal slots 6, 7. Slot 6 The opposing walls of the slots are engaged by an abutment member 12 which rotatably connects the pair of of one frame member registers with slots 7 of the adjacent frame member.

Adjusting means 8, 9, 12 is provided to connect the overlapping frame members and change the position of said frame members relative to each other. The adjusting means comprises a set of clip blocks 8, 9 and an abutment member 12. A clip block is received in each slot. Two pairs of clip blocks are illustrated as used with each overlapping portion, however, since each pair of clip blocks function in the same way, only one pair will be described.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, each clip block 8, 9 has a projection 10 that is complementary to the wall of its slot. The projection is shaped to engage the wall' of the slot. An abutment member 12 extends through slots 6 and 7 and interconnects frame members 2, 3 and .clip blocks 8, 9.

Abutment member 12 isin the form of a ,bolt. The bolt is adapted to engage the opposing unengaged walls of said slots. The abutment member also rotatably supports each clip block. I

- Each projection 10 on each clip block is spaced from abutment member 12 a distance equal to the length of their respective slots. This is so the abutment member and projection will engage opposing walls of the slots. This will fill the slots to prevent relative movement between the frame members.

Clamp means 30 (Figs. 4, 5 and 6) in the form of a nut is carried by said abutment member to clamp said clip blocks selectively in either of three positions in said slots to change the positions of said frame members relative to each other. e

In the first position (Fig. 4), clamp means 30 clamps clip blocks 8 and 9 facing in opposite directions. That is clip block 8 faces to the left'and clip block 9 faces to the right. In this position the combined length of overlapping frame membersZ, 3. is the shortest of the three positions.

Plow bottoms 22, 24 would be closest in this position.

In the second position (Fig. 5) clamp means 30 clamps clip blocks 8, 9 facing in the same direction, i.e. to the right in Fig. 5. In this position overlapping frame members 2, 3 are in an intermediate position and extend a distance greater than in said first position.

And, in the third position (Fig. 6) clamp means 30 clamps clip blocks 8, 9m a position reversed to their first position. That is clip block 8 now faces to the right and clipblock 9 faces to the left. In this position overlapping frame members 2, 3 have the greatest combined length, and the plow bottoms 22, 24 would be spaced .the greatest distance apart. This can be seen by comparing the positions of frame member 3 in Figs. 4, and 6.

Operation To adjust the position of the frame members 2, 3', clamp means 30, 30 are first loosened. Clip blocks 8, 9 are then positioned so as to provide the desired change in position of overlapping frame members 2', 3'. it is then only necessary to move frame members 2, 3 until projections 10 on clip blocks 8, 9 fit into slots 6, 7. Clamp means 30, 30 are then tightened to lock clip blocks 8, 9 and frame members 2, 3' rigidly in position.

In summary This invention provides a simple arrangement for easily and accurately changing the spacing of the plow bottoms of a plow, and for clamping them in position once they have been spaced.

The abutment member and projection on each clip block cooperates to fill each slot in the frame members. This rigidly holds the frame members in position. The abutment member prevents movement of the frame members in one direction, and the projection prevents movement in the opposite direction. The frame members cannot be moved out of their selected position.

Although two pairs of clip blocks are shown connecting the overlapping frame portions of the frame members, it is pointed out that the number of pairs of clip blocks would depend on the size of the load that they must resist, and that a single pair or more than two pairs can be used. It is further noted that the distance the frame members are moved relative to each other depends on the length of the slots. And finally, the slots in one frame member need not be ofthe same length as the slots in its adjacent frame member, provided that the size of the clip blocks are adjusted accordingly.

Although but a single embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention or from the scope of :the appended claims.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and the manner in which it is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:

1. In a plow, the combination comprising: a firstframe member supporting a first plow bottom; a second frame member overlapping said first member and supporting a second plow bottom; said firstand second frame members containing registering slots respectively; a pair of clip blocks, one for each slot, each clip block having a projection that is complementary to and engages one wall of its slot; an abutment member, said abutment member extending through said slots and rotatably supporting each of said clip blocks, each of said projections being spaced from said abutment member a distance equal to the length of its respective slot; and, means carried by said abutment member to clamp said clip blocks selectively in a first position with said, clip blocks facing in oppositedirections, in a second position with said clip blocks facing in the same direction, or in a third position with said clip blocks reversed to said first position, to afford first, second and third transverse spacings between said plow bottoms, and to rigidly clamp said frame members.

2. A positioning and locking arrangement, comprising: a first frame member; an overlapping second frame member; said first and second frame members each containing registering slots respectively; a pair of clip blocks, one for each slot; each clip block having a projection that engages one wall of its'respective slot; an abutment member, said abutment member being carried in said slots and adapted to engage the opposing unengaged walls of said slots, said abutment member rotatably supporting each of said clip blocks, each of said projections being spaced fromsaid abutment member a distance equal to the length of said respective slot; and, clamp means carried by said abutment member to clamp said clip blocks in said slots selectively'in a first position with said clip blocks facing in opposite directions, in a second position with said clip blocks facing in the same direction, or in a third position with said clip blocks reversed to said first position, to change the position of said frame members relative to each other, said clip blocks when clamped cooperating with said abutment member to clamp said frame members in position.

3. A clamping arrangement for clamping two overlapping members containing registering slots, each of said slots having first and second opposing walls, comprising: a pair of clip blocks, one for each slot, a projection carried by each clip block and extending into and engaging one Wall of its respective slot, an abutment extending through said slots and movably connected with said clip blocks, said abutment engaging the other walls of said slots; and clamp means carried by said abutment to clamp said clip blocks and overlapping members together.

References Cited in the file of this patent 'UNITED STATES PATENTS 625,502 Harris May 23, 1899 1,097,185 Oehrle May 19, 1914- 1,110,290 James Sept. 8, 1914 

